West and Central Africa: Latest Events at a glance (16-22 December 2025)

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Timid returns amid limited access to healthcare in Fizi and Uvira territories

An estimated 270 households who fled to Burundi earlier this month have returned to Baraka, South Kivu province, since 19 December, reportedly due to limited assistance and poor living conditions in Burundi. At the same time, at least five health facilities in the Ruzizi and Fizi health zones were looted and vandalized, as were at least eight primary schools supported by WFP’s school feeding program. The situation significantly limits access to healthcare and disrupts education for returning communities. In the Ruzizi health zone of Uvira territory, health authorities and partners have reported a cholera outbreak, with 165 new cases and five deaths recorded between 15 and 19 December.

Persistent obstruction of humanitarian movements in Walungu territory On 19 December, two partners were temporarily blocked at the Kamanyola checkpoint while traveling to Uvira, South Kivu province. Following OCHA’s intervention with local authorities, both partners were allowed to proceed, though additional delays were reported at the Kamanyola–Katogota checkpoint. The previous day, WFP and other partners have faced similar blockages. OCHA continues to engage with de facto authorities and non-state armed groups to facilitate access and prepare for a humanitarian access mission.

Mali

Update on the Diphtheria and Mpox outbreaks

As of early December, Mali has reported 536 diphtheria cases, including 32 deaths (case fatality rate: 6 per cent). Of 254 samples tested, 58 cases have been laboratory confirmed. The outbreak has spread to 33 health districts across eight regions, with the highest caseloads reported in Mopti, Timbuktu and Ségou. An average of around 20 suspected cases per week continues to be recorded. Response efforts face significant challenges, including high operational costs for vaccination campaigns, limited vaccine availability, and shortages of antibiotics and diphtheria antitoxin, constraining effective case management. Gaps in health worker capacity further affect response quality. In parallel, 10 confirmed Mpox cases were reported as of 20 November in Kangaba and Bamako, with no deaths to date. Mpox response remains fragile due to limited cross-border surveillance and intense population movements along the Mali–Guinea border, particularly in gold-mining areas, increasing the risk of further transmission.

Niger

Abduction of civilians in the Diffa region

On 21 December, armed men abducted five civilians after intercepting their vehicle on the Kindjandi–Toumour road, illustrating the persistence of insecurity along key civilian transit routes in the Diffa region. This incident followed a similar abduction earlier in December, reflecting a recurrent pattern of vehicle interceptions. Throughout 2025, such incidents have been widespread, particularly in N’Guigmi, Bosso, Diffa and Mainé Soroa.